4 things to consider when buying a smart toy
How does the toy interact with your child and other devices?
Make sure you understand what key things your child can do with the toy and if it can connect to any other devices, for example can it send messages to a phone or connect to a smart TV?
Questions to ask
- Is there a chat function that allows children to communicate with others?
- Are there apps that can be used with the toy which may contain ads?
- Does the toy require information about your child’s location?
Does the toy require your child’s personal information?
Some toys ask for your child’s name, their age and a parent email address to work. To ensure your child privacy and data are kept safe make sure the toy company is reputable and check out their data privacy policy so you are aware of what their procedure is, in the event of a hack on their systems.
Things to do
- Read the toy’s reviews and look for any concerns others have raised
- Put the minimal amount of information about your child required
- Read the terms and condition and privacy policies
Are there any features such as a camera that might put a child at risk?
- Carry out a series of checks before buying a toy with such features as they may be vulnerable to hackers such as a camera or built-in microphone that connects to the internet.
- You might also like to weigh up whether these features are worthwhile having to help your child have the best experience. If you do decide to buy it, make sure to switch these off when not in use and only enter minimal personal information if required to reduce risk to your child’s privacy and security.
Is there a monthly subscription to access new content with the toy?
Some smart toys may feature an additional subscription service to access new content to help children get the most out of the toy. If you choose to opt-in make sure to read the terms and conditions on cancelling the subscription as you do not want to be paying monthly charges when your child is no longer playing with the toy.